Gluten Free Potato Buds: YUCK!!!!!!!!

[aurora50]

Okay, first it was the Hickory Farms Beef Stick. Now, another rant from yours truly.
Around Thanksgiving, I picked up a box of Betty Crocker Potato Buds, not looking carefully at it. When I prepared and tasted it, I knew something was not right. Then I look at the package, and it says "Gluten Free". Well, I thought I had just picked up the wrong box. Tonight, at the store, all I see is the Gluten Free crap. Looked at their website, and it looks like they've switched all Potato Buds to Gluten Free!!!! : P
WHY don't these suits research with the people who actually purchase these things, before they ruin their products? Or, at least, make one new version AND the originals???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GGGGGGRRRRRRRR

[Sherri]

What am I missing? "Gluten-Free Potatoes seems akin to "Low-Cholesterol Peanut Butter". There is no gluten in potatoes nor is there cholesterol in peanut butter. Is this a simple marketing ploy? or something that I have missed.
Disclaimer: I have never purchased nor eaten a potato bud and so have no idea what this is. My potatoes come wrapped in their often dirty skin, not a box.

[goodhealthgourmet]

most plain varieties of instant mashed potatoes are dehydrated potatoes, mono- & diglycerides and preservatives, but some products (particularly the flavored ones) use texture enhancers and flavorings that contain gluten.

[gadfly]

They might have changed their formula in some way that has altered the flavor, but it has nothing to do with being gluten free. Betty Crocker Potato Buds have always been gluten free, it's just more prominently displayed on the packaging now.

[aurora50]

Well, whatever they did, I now can't stand the taste.

[basachs]

hmm. What scares me is the fact that something called potato buds actually has gluten in it that needs to be taken out.

[Vetter]

This gluten free person has decided just to be happy that she doesn't need potato buds.

[goodhealthgourmet]

+1. they do make a handy breading/coating or thickener, but i haven't used potato flakes since Barbara's were discontinued a couple of years ago. boo.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i just did a quick search, and it looks like *no one* is happy with them. there are posts all over the web about how bad they are, and nothing but complaints in the comments section of the product page on the Betty Crocker site. my advice would be to try another brand like Hungry Jack or Idahoan.

[aurora50]

Yes, Hungry Jack or Idahoan will be my next pick.

[Indirect Heat]

May I respectfully submit - buy some potatoes. Boil 'em. Mash 'em. Add some butter and/or cream. Season 'em. You may be surprised how much better they taste than a potato bud.

[Tripeler]

I second this. Freshly made mashed potatoes are incomparable.

[aurora50]

I know that fresh mashed potatoes are best. But there are some times when you just don't want to take the time to cook fresh potatoes. And, also - I was brought up on Potato Buds.
It just may be a childhood preference thing.

[aurora50]

Let me add a P.S. to this.
I realize that some have health issues and have need of this product. I am glad that this is available for them. I am merely upset that some corporations seem not to consider all angles before they make a change to a long-established and loved product and delete it from the shelves.